The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-03-09
Job came in with his father and the

uncomfortable and held his head down
much of the time. A good deal of bit,
tcrncss ranked in his heart. lie cared
very little to talk, but he couldn't avoid
listening.
Suddenly Miss Hardy addressed him
some commonplace rcmark-shc had not
seen him for over three months. Hc had
to look ut her then. And, for some IN
cxplicablc reason, as he looked in her
face he felt himself blusl,iug tcrritically.
He. Job. the bitter, the weary OF Lie,
the thin-!imbcd. the aguish, felt the hot
blood rush tumultuously up into his head
and stain his sallow checks beyond con-
cealing.
He Supposed they were all looking at
him, though in reality it was not the
case. And so he answered in q most en-
barraSscd manner.
Manda Hardy seemed little startled,
then her own color dcepened. She did
not speak directly to him again.
When supper was over she very soon
excused herself and retired to the spare
chamber.
Mrs. Wcstcott called after her.
:'Oh. Manda; I guess you'll find every
thing you want. l went in your room
just before supper. There's a-there's
something for you lying atop the bureau
Don't you neglect to find it. Something
very particular"
"All right, Mrs Wcstcott; good
night"
Now the something very particular"
was only Mrs. Westcott's modesty for
night gown. which, not being at all a
linguist, she could not name in any other
tongue but the one which was understood
by the men folks.
Pretty little NTanda did not, however,
grasp the meaning of her kind hostess.
Something particular for NEON the
bureau, )" she repeated, turning up the lamp,
which had smoked the room to a con-
dition more homely than healthful. And
she looked to see what it could be. Mrs.
Westcott, had made mistake. The gar
mcnt referred to she had laid on the foot
of the bed. There was nothing on the
bureau but the hair brush and comb.
Stop. yes, there was. There was parcel
wrapped carefully and addresscd-with
Manda's own initials. GA. H." What
was it? A surprise2 How nice! Mamie
looked again. "To-A. H." Yes, she
was not mistaken. Amanda Hardy, of
course. With trembling fingers she I'M
fastened the wrapping.
ooh. Oh! OH"
Manda was only woman, and only
seventeen.
"a valentine! What perfectly beau
tiful valcntine Who could have" and
then as she turned it over she caught
sight of:"From your most true and faith
full Job Westcott."
NIanda took the valentine in one hand,
the lamp in the other, and sat down on
the side of the bed. 1t was really an ar
tistic piece of work. A beautiful land
scapc delightfully."- painted. Then the
elegant nest of swans down! Then
what was most important of all-the
poetry! She had not at first perceived
this. Thus it was all the more en-
trancing:
'Beloved! Aye, truly this thou art;
SBeloved in name"
NIauda nodded her head joyously.
s'He knew my name means beloved.
Oh, he is very talented always thought
him intellectual. But who would have
dreamed OF his sending me such lovely
thing. He blushcd at the supper table.
Does he really care much for me, Won
der! But, then, didn't think I'd ever
given him much encouragement.
Dear little guilclcss Manda! Quite
pretty enough for any young farmer, or
indeed for many city chap. Sparkling
gray eyes; splendid chestnut hair; dim
Piles, red lips and smooth white brow.
Plump, sweet-tcmpered and true-hearted !
She fell asleep signing family over the
innocent problem: "Did Job mean to
propose to her some day? And if so
what would she answer him2"
She oversight herself the next morning,
and consequently the "men folks" were
all through and gone out to work when
she took her breakfast.
"They'rc fixing roads and fences, ex-
planned Mrs. Westcott. "That's how
they're off earlier than usual. You know
we don't gener'ly keep two hired men
this time Of year: but there's extra work.
Mandy blushcd and spoke shyly: ''The
valentine Job gave me was perfectly love
". was so surprised and pleased! 1t
was awfnlly good of him to think of it."
Mrs. Wcstcott looked puzzled.
"a 1alentine2 Did Job give you onc?'
"Why, yes; didn't you know what was
in the parcel'"
"In the parcel2" Mrs. Westcott con-
! tinued, puzzled.
eyes, in the parcel you told me was
very particular, on the bureau-don't
you remember, last night2"
"On the burcau2 o, yes, of course"
Poor Mrs. Westcott! She knew that
there was some mistake. She was not
quite certain what it was; but ''some one
had blundercd. Being woman, she
had sufficient tact to wait and see.
"Thc poetry" said Manda, twas very
pretty indeed, and the painting-why,
now, honestly, Mrs. Westcott, didn't you
know-haven't you looked at it.'
'I'll 60 up now and take look at it, y"
said the elder lady. 1t had suddenly
dawncd upon her that an unfortunate
souvenir of the "Humphrcys girl" affair
had been left in the spare chamber.
Manda remained to finish her break
fast. Just as his mother slipped up stairs
Job entered.
To him Mands, crimson as Jacqucmi-
not:
II am so much obliged for the valen-
tine, Mr.. Westcott. 1t was perfectly
beautiful. And it was so thoughtful of
you. I was just telling your mother.
She's gone up to look at it. I supposed,
of course, she had seen it, especially as it